honedge #679
Type Matchups
Weak to (2x damage):
Resistant to (½x damage):
honedge
Generation VI · #0679 — Sword Pokémon
Honedge is a Steel/Ghost-type Pokémon introduced in Generation VI, earning the designation of #679 in the National Pokédex. This peculiar creature represents one of the franchise's most original design concepts—a sentient sword animated by supernatural forces. According to Pokédex lore, Honedge is born when the spirit of a person who was killed long ago by a sword inhabits that very blade, creating a haunting fusion of metal and spectral energy. With a base stat total of 325, Honedge demonstrates remarkable defensive capabilities with a base Defense stat of 100, making it surprisingly sturdy for such a small Pokémon. Its unique typing grants it access to an interesting defensive profile, resisting numerous common types while maintaining exploitable weaknesses. The ability No Guard ensures that all moves used by and against Honedge will connect with guaranteed accuracy, fundamentally changing how this Pokémon functions in battle despite its modest offensive statistics.
Base Stats
Height
0.8m
Weight
2.0kg
Category
Sword Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
brown
Shape
blob
Abilities
Ensures all moves used by and against the Pokémon hit.
Honedge Biology & Physical Characteristics
Honedge's physical form is a masterwork of supernatural design, resembling a medieval broadsword with intricate details that blur the line between weapon and living creature. The Pokémon's blade is a polished silver with a light gray hilt, and embedded within the hilt is a brilliant blue gemstone with a dark center—this gem is actually Honedge's true eye and the seat of its consciousness. Attached to the pommel is a long, dark blue cloth with swirling lighter blue patterns that terminate in four distinct tassels, serving as both a visual identifier and a prehensile tool for life-draining. When sheathed, Honedge's dark brown scabbard features curved lines reminiscent of a triquetra symbol, and the sheath's top rings combined with the blade's shape create an optical illusion resembling a face, complete with what appears to be eyes and a mouth. The true body of Honedge resides in that blue eye on the handguard, as confirmed by modern Pokédex entries, with the cloth and blade serving as extensions of this spectral core. Despite its form, Honedge weighs merely 2.0 kilograms and stands only 0.8 meters tall, making it a diminutive warrior whose apparent fragility belies its defensive fortitude.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Honedge Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Honedge exhibits a perfectly balanced gender ratio of 50% male and 50% female, allowing for flexible breeding strategies among collectors and competitive trainers. The species belongs to the Mineral egg group, an unusual classification for a creature of spectral origin that nonetheless reflects its metallic composition and supernatural crystalline nature. With a base friendship value of 70 in Generations VI and VII, Honedge demonstrates moderate receptiveness to trainer bonding, suggesting that while it possesses an inherently dangerous nature, it is capable of forming attachments when treated with appropriate respect and care. The egg hatching counter of 20 cycles translates to approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps required to hatch Honedge eggs, placing it in the moderate range for breeding timelines. Interestingly, despite Honedge's aggressive life-draining behavior in the wild, captive-bred specimens appear significantly more docile and trainable, suggesting that the species' dangerous tendencies may be partially environmental or hunger-driven rather than purely instinctive. This distinction has allowed trainers throughout the Kalos region and beyond to successfully incorporate Honedge into their teams without undue risk of life force depletion.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm03
yellow
tm03
red blue
tm03
blue japan
tm03
red green japan
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm06
yellow
tm06
gold silver
tm06
red blue
tm06
crystal
tm06
emerald
tm06
firered leafgreen
tm06
diamond pearl
tm06
platinum
tm06
ruby sapphire
tm06
colosseum
tm06
black 2 white 2
tm06
xd
tm06
black white
tm06
heartgold soulsilver
tm06
omega ruby alpha sapphire
+444 more TMs/HMs
honedge's Evolution Chain
Honedge Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Honedge follows a straightforward linear evolution path that transforms it into increasingly powerful forms. At level 35, Honedge evolves into Doublade, a dual-sword form that retains the Steel/Ghost typing while significantly boosting its offensive and defensive capabilities. The evolution to Doublade increases both attack and defense stats substantially, with Doublade gaining a second blade that doubles its combat potential. The final evolution requires exposure to a Dusk Stone, transforming Doublade into Aegislash, a majestic warrior Pokémon that represents the pinnacle of this ghostly blade line. Aegislash gains the signature ability Stance Change, which allows it to alternate between Attack Forme and Defense Forme, fundamentally changing its stat distribution mid-battle. This evolution line is unusual in that each form represents a narrative progression from a simple haunted sword to a warrior spirit embodying both offense and defense. The evolution mechanics reflect the deepening integration of the human spirit with the blade, culminating in Aegislash's ability to consciously shift its combat philosophy.
Where to Find
kalos route 6
kalos
+1 more
akala outskirts
alola
+1 more
Honedge Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Honedge exhibits distinctly predatory behavior, actively seeking out human contact for sinister purposes. The Pokémon is known to attach itself to people and, if anyone dares to grasp its hilt, it wraps its blue cloth around their arm and systematically drains their life energy completely—a process that appears to sustain the spirit inhabiting the blade. This vampiric tendency suggests that Honedge requires life force to maintain its existence, making it a genuine threat to careless trainers or unsuspecting individuals who handle it without proper precaution. The species is nocturnal and typically resides in grassy plains, preferring to hunt under cover of darkness when potential prey is less vigilant. Its haunting presence and the specter of death that follows Honedge have made it an object of both fascination and dread in Pokémon lore, representing one of the few Pokémon species that embodies genuine malevolence rather than simple animal instinct. Despite these dangerous qualities, Honedge maintains a base friendship value of 70 in Generations VI and VII, suggesting that dedicated trainers can form bonds with these spectral swords, though such relationships require respect and caution.
Pokedex Entries
Generation VI
Apparently this Pokémon is born when a departed spirit inhabits a sword. It attaches itself to people and drinks their life force.
If anyone dares to grab its hilt, it wraps a blue cloth around that person’s arm and drains that person’s life energy completely.
Apparently this Pokémon is born when a departed spirit inhabits a sword. It attaches itself to people and drinks their life force.
If anyone dares to grab its hilt, it wraps a blue cloth around that person’s arm and drains that person’s life energy completely.
Generation VIII
Honedge’s soul once belonged to a person who was killed a long time ago by the sword that makes up Honedge’s body.
The blue eye on the sword’s handguard is the true body of Honedge. With its old cloth, it drains people’s lives away.
Honedge Name Origin & Design Inspiration
Honedge's name derives from two key concepts: 'hone,' referring to the sharpening of blades, and 'edge,' emphasizing its weapon nature. The Japanese name Hitotsuki combines elements suggesting 'single' and 'tsuki' (moon or blade), reflecting its singular form as an individual weapon. The design draws heavily from medieval European sword aesthetics, specifically evoking the appearance of a bastard sword or longsword with its proportions and ornamentation. The cloth wrapped around the hilt is particularly evocative of real historical weapons, where cloth wrappings provided grip and were often decorative. The blue gem serving as Honedge's eye is an inspired touch, creating visual interest and making the creature's true consciousness location immediately apparent to observant viewers. The designer's choice to include the sheath as part of Honedge's overall presentation adds dimensionality to the concept, with the sheath's triquetra patterns suggesting Celtic or magical influences that enhance its supernatural aura. This comprehensive design philosophy makes Honedge one of Generation VI's most cohesive and thematically consistent creature designs.
Learnable Moves
Honedge can learn 57 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| after you | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| autotomize | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| block | normal | Status | — | — | 5 |
| brick break | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| brutal swing | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| close combat | fighting | Physical | 120 | 100 | 5 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| cut | normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| destiny bond | ghost | Status | — | — | 5 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| false swipe | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 |
| flash cannon | steel | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| fury cutter | bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| gyro ball | steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| iron defense | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| iron head | steel | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| laser focus | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| magnet rise | electric | Status | — | — | 10 |
| metal sound | steel | Status | — | 85 | 40 |
| night slash | dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| power trick | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psycho cut | psychic | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| pursuit | dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| reflect | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| retaliate | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| reversal | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| sacred sword | fighting | Physical | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| screech | normal | Status | — | 85 | 40 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| shadow claw | ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| shadow sneak | ghost | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| shock wave | electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| slash | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| solar blade | grass | Physical | 125 | 100 | 10 |
| spite | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| steel beam | steel | Special | 140 | 95 | 5 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swords dance | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| tackle | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| wide guard | rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
Honedge Competitive Battle Guide
Honedge occupies a unique niche in competitive Pokémon battling, functioning primarily as a specially defensive wall with exceptional physical durability. Its base Defense stat of 100 combined with relatively high HP for its tier makes Honedge surprisingly difficult to knock out with physical attacks, while its special defense of 37 and special attack of 35 indicate it should avoid special battles whenever possible. The No Guard ability is a double-edged sword—while it guarantees all of Honedge's moves will connect regardless of accuracy or evasion modifiers, it simultaneously ensures that opponent moves will never miss, eliminating Honedge's ability to utilize evasion-based strategies. This ability shines when paired with traditionally inaccurate moves like Aerial Ace (which gains perfect accuracy anyway), making Honedge's movepool decision critical for competitive success. Honedge's typing grants it useful resistances to Normal, Flying, Rock, Bug, Steel, Grass, Psychic, Ice, and Fairy-type moves, with complete immunity to Normal and Poison attacks, though it suffers from troublesome weaknesses to Fire, Ghost, and Dark-type moves. Its abysmal speed stat of 28 means Honedge will almost always move last in turn order, limiting its utility in teams requiring speed control or priority-dependent strategies. Most competitive players use Honedge primarily as a defensive pivot in lower-tier formats, appreciating its reliable bulk and status move capabilities while recognizing its limitations as a pure attacker.
Commonly Asked Questions About Honedge
What type is Honedge?
Honedge is a steel and ghost type Pokemon.
What does Honedge evolve into?
Honedge evolves into doublade, then into aegislash-shield.
What are Honedge's weaknesses?
Honedge is weak to fighting, ground, ghost, fire and dark type moves.
Where can I find Honedge?
Honedge can be found in kalos route 6 (kalos) and akala outskirts (alola).
Honedge Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Honedge has achieved significant cultural resonance within the Pokémon community as a prime example of conceptual innovation in creature design. The living sword concept resonated deeply with players who appreciated the darker, more supernatural elements of the Pokémon franchise, offering a departure from the more lighthearted designs prevalent in earlier generations. Its appearance in Pokémon X and Y marked the introduction of steel-type Pokémon with genuinely sinister undertones, contributing to the broader cultural acceptance of 'creepy' Pokémon designs as legitimate and compelling additions to the canon. Honedge's subsequent appearances in Pokémon Legends: Z-A and other titles have cemented its place as a fan favorite, with particular appreciation for the mysterious lore surrounding its origin as a sword cursed by the spirit of its victim. The Pokémon has inspired considerable fan art and creative interpretations exploring the philosophical implications of a sentient weapon bound by supernatural forces. Within competitive communities, Honedge represents an underdog story—a Pokémon with unimpressive base stats that nonetheless contributes meaningfully to team building through strategic depth and niche utility. The species' presence has influenced subsequent Pokémon designs, encouraging Game Freak to explore increasingly unconventional creature concepts that blur the line between object and organism.
Where to Find Honedge in Every Pokémon Game
Honedge's availability varies significantly across different games and generations, with its distribution reflecting the typical patterns of Generation VI's regional Pokédex structure. In Pokémon X and Y, Honedge appears in the central Kalos Pokédex as #0117, available in specific grassy plains and meadow areas where it hunts nocturnally. The species was subsequently added to the Sword and Shield Pokédex as #0330, expanding its accessibility to players of later generations, and appears again in Pokémon Legends: Z-A where it has been assigned #0071 in the regional listing. With a catch rate of 180, Honedge is relatively easy to capture with standard Poké Balls when encountered in the wild, though the rarity of wild encounters in certain games may necessitate breeding or trading to obtain specimens. Players seeking to complete their Pokédex should note that Honedge's nocturnal habits may require specific timing or gameplay conditions to encounter naturally. The species' availability through breeding via the Mineral egg group provides an alternative acquisition method, allowing players without access to wild populations to obtain Honedge through strategic breeding of compatible parent Pokémon. Modern Pokédex entries and online distribution methods have made Honedge increasingly accessible to global audiences, ensuring that trainers across all regions can experience this unique supernatural swordsman in their adventures.